This, and what happened two years ago, is definitive proof: a team needs to have all or most of their transfers done, and most of their squad for the season together, for at least a week or two before the season starts.

Anything else creates disruption, distraction, and gives opponents more of a chance to get results against you at the start of the season, and can potentially sabotage your season before it's really begun.

Lesson HAS to be learned. I'm done with this bunch of amateurs holding out till the last minute to save every penny when our net spend is £19 million and we've brought in about £300 million on top of that in sponsorship and prize money. I'm done with them taking ages to do deals which they've had months to do (transfers begin planning in March/April, it's 3 months since last season ended, there've been literally months to get it done - no excuses). It's no way to run a football club.

If you keep doing the same thing, don't expect things to be any different. We've done the same as we did 2 years ago, with the same result.

And now, their delay means clubs will ask us for more because they know we are desperate. Geniuses.

So I'm correct in thinking we only have four strikers? Bats, who Conte doesn't like (I'm still fairly sure of this) Costa, (no idea) Remy, who we probably want to ship out, and Morata... (still don't know how he will pan out currently given he's not been here five minutes) - given this, I'm still sure we need another striker or two if Remy and Costa go.

Probably because in the grand scheme of things he isn't the most idea lone forward candidate. Struggles with exactly the same aspects for his game that Michy does - hold up play, playing with back to goal, expected to out muscle multiple defenders, and win every ball that's lumped forward to him in the air.

Ironically, everything that a striker like Llorente excels in.

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Probably because in the grand scheme of things he isn't the most idea lone forward candidate. Struggles with exactly the same aspects for his game that Michy does - hold up play, playing with back to goal, expected to out muscle multiple defenders, and win every ball that's lumped forward to him in the air.

Ironically, everything that a striker like Llorente excels in.

This

Hernadez does better as a sub when the game is stretched and legs are tired.

I think Michy is better suited for that too.

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Michy was poor today. His movement was off and he never looked like scoring. Morata was a complete contrast. Indeed, Tammy looked better for Swansea today than Michy (think he'll do very well there). Llorente could still be a possibility as a short-term signing I think.

Having watched Loftus-Cheek and Tammy today, I think with a year of playing regular PL football they'll be ready for our first team, much like Christensen is now - so could save us a bit of money next summer.

Right now though, we need players. I'd go all out for Rose, Drinkwater and Ox - cover in all three positions we're weak (indeed Ox covers all three positions, CM, RWB and LWB). If we can't get Rose, then get Bertrand. Then maybe go for Llorente as forward cover.

If we got those four now, it would leave us in a much stronger position. Barkley and/or VVD would be a nice bonus, but not priorities.